New Zealand Retail Is Struggling And Here’s Why

New Zealand retail is under serious pressure, and in this episode of Duncan Garner: Editor in Chief, Duncan speaks with Carolyn Young from Retail NZ about what’s really happening on the ground.Carolyn explains why the last few years have felt like a three year recession for retailers, with rising costs, higher rents, increased insurance, and falling consumer spending. Even when shops look busy, customers are buying cheaper items and fewer products, a trend known as the lipstick effect.They discuss why CBDs in Auckland and Wellington are struggling, how working from home has drained foot traffic, and why cruise ships and office workers matter more than people realise. Carolyn also breaks down why buying offshore hurts the local economy, and why shopping in New Zealand stores keeps jobs and protections in place.The episode covers interest rates, job security fears, changing shopping habits, and what needs to happen for confidence to return.Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSypyI8wbnZgJDYY0VCdwJQ/join Get in touch with Duncan - [e-mail] and join us on the socials. Website: https://www.rova.nz/podcasts/duncan-garner-editor-in-chief-live Instagram: @DuncanGarnerpodcast TikTok: @DuncanGarnerpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices